M 121 (College Algebra)
Instructor
Swicegood
Clinch
Sulock
Adams
Laobeul
Section
1
2
3
4
5
Spring 2013
MWF
9 am
10 am
11 am
12 pm
1 pm
Room
MA 312
LA 244
SS 344
MA 108
MCG 237
Office
C 358
C 354
C 267
C 361
C 261
Course Coordinator: Regina Souza
Phone
243-4489
243-4483
243-2918
243-4489
243-5569
Email
Grant1.Swicegood@umontana.edu
Adam.Clinch@umontana.edu
Michael.Sulock@mso.umt.edu
Jesse.Adams@umontana.edu
Ndjekornom.Laobeul@mso.umt.edu
Math Learning Center (MLC): Room Math 011 (basement); Mon–Thurs: 10–4pm, Friday: 10-noon
Mansfield Library Main Floor; Mon–Thurs, 6:30–9pm
More information at http://www.umt.edu/math/MLC/ .
Office Hours (for all instructors): TBA (see http://www.math.umt.edu/souza/oh.pdf)
Office Hours for Dr. Souza (Coordinator): Mo: 3:10-4pm, Tu: 10:10-11am, We: 2:10-3pm,
Fri: 9:10-10pm, or by appointment.
Contact information for Dr. Souza: Room MA 104, 243-2166, Regina.Souza@umontana.edu
Text: College Algebra, Trigonometry and Precalculus, UM Custom 2nd ed., Connally, Hughes-Hallett, et al.
(available at the bookstore). You will need an access code (which will be bundled with your text book). If you are a
returning student, please use your previous login information (and you won’t need to purchase a new book nor a
new code). If you do not care for a hardcopy of the book, you may choose to purchase an electronic textbook with
WileyPLUS when you register at www.wileyplus.com.
Graphing Calculator: A graphing calculator is required. Class demos will be given with a TI-83 or TI-84.
Course Description: (adapted from http://www.umt.edu/catalog/cat/cas/math.html )
M 121 (MATH 111) College Algebra 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. M 095 (MAT 100) or
Aleks placement ≥ 4. Intended to strengthen algebra skills. The study of functions and their inverses;
polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Credit not allowed for both M 121 (MATH
111, MAT 118), M 151 (MATH 121, MAT 120).
The central theme of College Algebra is functions as models of change. This course fulfills the prerequisites for
M 122 (College Trigonometry) and for M 162 (Applied Calculus).
Learning Goals: Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
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Use factoring to solve, find zeros or x-intercepts of polynomial functions.
Solve linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic equations and use them to solve applied problems.
Use function notation; identify domain, range, and intervals of increasing/decreasing/constant values.
Find zeros, asymptotes, and domain of rational functions.
Evaluate and sketch graphs of piecewise functions and find their domain and range.
Use algebra to combine functions and form composite functions, evaluate both combined and composite
functions and determine their domains.
Identify one-to-one functions, find and verify inverse functions, and sketch their graphs.
Graph linear, polynomial, radical, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions.
Course Content:
1. Graphs, Functions and Applications (Functions and Graphs, Linear equations and Functions,
Applications, Increasing, Decreasing, and Piecewise Functions, Algebra of Functions, Composition of
Functions, Inverses, Concavity, Quadratic Functions)
2. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (Inverse Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and
their Graphs, Exponential and Logarithmic Equations, Applications)
3. Transformation of Functions and Their Graphs (Shifts, Vertical Stretches and Compression)
4. Power, Polynomial and Rational Functions (Short and Long-Run Behavior, Graphs, Comparing Power,
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Fitting Exponentials and Polynomials to Data, Applications.)
Grading and Policies
Grading:
≥ 93%
A
Your course grade will be based on 3 exams, a common final exam and other activities:
Three midterm tests (100 points each; Feb 22, Mar 29 & May 3)
300 points (50%)
Other activities (homework, quizzes, projects, etc…)
150 points (25%)
Final Exam (all sections Tue, May 14, 6-8 pm)
150 points (25%)
≥ 90%
A−
≥ 87%
B+
≥ 83%
B
≥ 80%
B−
≥ 75%
C+
≥ 70%
C
≥ 65%
C−
≥ 62%
D+
≥ 58%
D
≥ 55%
D−
< 55%
F
M121 must be completed with a C- or better to fulfill the math literacy requirement. Taking it with
the Cr/No Cr option will not fulfill the requirement.
Information you might find useful:
Prerequisite: M 095 with a grade of C- or better taken less than a year ago or Aleks placement level 4.
In-class activities: In my experience, regular attendance is essential to successfully complete this course.
“Doing math”: One of the best ways to learn mathematics is to do mathematics. All instructors will be assigning
online homework (which will give you immediate feedback). Some instructors will provide
opportunity for doing math in class. There is also a selection of homework problems available at the
course webpage. Check with your instructor about his/her policies regarding homework and quizzes.
Most students spend about 6 hours a week outside of class for study and homework. In my
experience, it is best to do this in 1–2 hour sessions each day and not in a marathon all one day.
Study groups or a study partner work well for many students.
Reading the text: Here are some strategies: reading the authors’ introductory remarks to get a feel for the material,
redoing examples on your own and comparing your solution with the authors’ approach, using the
Student Study Guide (found under “Read, Study and Practice” on WileyPLUS), reading the
``Summary’’ or the ``Check Your Understanding” problems at the end of each chapter, or create your
own summary and review.
One-on-one interaction: Besides seeing your instructor, you may also interact with other instructors and classmates
at the Math Learning Center (MLC) in the basement of the Math building (MATH 011). For some of
us this is the most effective (and most fun) way to learn math.
Web Pages: http://www.math.umt.edu/souza/M121 (a link can be found in the Math Department’s web page).
Miscellaneous policies and information:
Disabilities:
Students with disabilities are welcome to discuss accommodations with me. More information can be
found at the website of the Disabilities Services for Students (DSS): http://life.umt.edu/dss .
Disability Services now requires one week's notice for scheduling exams.
Make-ups:
Exam make-ups will be given under special circumstances (illness, UM-sponsored travel, family
emergency, etc.) Please make arrangements as soon as you know you will miss an exam. Early finals
(Monday, May 13 or earlier on Tuesday, May 14) will be given only under exceptional
circumstances; and need the approval of the course coordinator.
Petitions:
Between April 9 and May 10 you can petition to drop a course or to change the grading option
(though not to Audit). Acceptable reasons for late drops are listed in the 2012/2013 student catalog.
Incompletes: Incompletes may be given only if a student has been in attendance and doing passing work up to 3
weeks before the end of the semester. See the 2012/2013 Catalog for the complete policy.
Misconduct: All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
Student Conduct Code: All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. You can find it in the
“S” section of the “A to Z Index” on the UM home page (http://umt.edu).